Flavour Trails
Savour all the flavours of the maritime regions of Québec!
Whatever scenic drive you decide to explore in the maritime regions of Québec, you can be sure you will find a multitude of delicacies to sample along the way. Snow crab, lobster, northern shrimp, shellfish and fresh or smoked fish are specialties throughout our regions. Game meat, fine cheeses, local vegetables and berries as well as locally made alcoholic beverages are also available at markets, in restaurants and directly from food producers. How can you possibly resist?
Specialty products
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Smoked fish, snow crab and cheese are among the specialties of Bas-Saint-Laurent, as are excellent maple products, which are the perfect complement to any meal. In the Témiscouata area, be sure to try the unique alcoholic beverages made from maple sap by Domaine Acer. Their products have been recognized at the Coupe des Nations, a regional wine and spirits competition, and are worth discovering. In the Kamouraska area, stop at the Côté Est restaurant for a meal featuring regional ingredients, then visit the La Fée Gourmande chocolate shop for a wide selection of goodies. To find out more about the flavours of this region, visit Saveurs du Bas-Saint-Laurent (in French only).
Gaspésie
Gaspésie is renowned for fish and lobster, as well as for red deer venison and emu meat. The region also produces gourmet deli meats and home-style jams and pickles. Discover the products made at the Reford Gardens from garden harvests and edible flowers grown on site or visit the Ferme Bourdages Tradition for all things strawberry—sample their delicious homemade strawberry products, including wines and liqueurs. At the eastern tip of the peninsula, La Maison du Pêcheur restaurant in Percé serves tantalizing seafood dishes, including lobster fresh from the tank in season. To find out more about the flavours of this region, visit Gaspésie Gourmande (in French only).
Côte-Nord
Shellfish are among the specialties of Côte-Nord, including scallops, softshell clams, whelk and razor clams. End your meal with cloudberries, a local berry that is used to make delicious desserts as well as an after-dinner drink. Are you intrigued by the sound of crab beer? Taste it at the St-Pancrace microbrewery in Baie-Comeau, which also offers several other craft beers brewed on site.
Îles de la Madeleine
Not surprisingly, seafood is abundant in the Îles de la Madeleine. Lobster, mussels, scallops and fresh and smoked fish are available in fine restaurants throughout the region, as are excellent local cheeses. La Table des Roy restaurant is renowned for its rural charm, fresh ingredients and extensive wine and port list. The owner, Johanne Vigneau, also offers homemade products and culinary workshops at Gourmande de Nature. If you are a fan of craft beer, be sure to visit the À l’Abri de la Tempête microbrewery and try their unique beers made with local ingredients. To find out more about the flavours of this region, visit Le Bon Goût Frais des Îles (in French only).
The maritime regions of Québec are home to many fine restaurants featuring regional cuisine; most hotels and inns also serve regional products prepared with care and pride. Don’t miss this opportunity to savour all the flavours of the maritime regions of Québec!